Punch: From third-rate anchor to top chef

Chapter 1621

With the comfort and help of his friends, Li Xiao gradually calmed down. Although the wallet was not found in the end, the friendship between them became deeper in this test.

The journey to Dunhuang ended, and they continued their journey with full of memories and expectations for the next stop.
After finishing their exploration trip in Dunhuang, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei rushed to Chengdu, a city full of bustling atmosphere and leisurely charm.

The plane landed in Chengdu, and the moist air with a spicy aroma instantly enveloped them. Li Xiao was refreshed and smiled: "Wow, as soon as I arrived in Chengdu, I smelled this familiar hot pot smell, and I felt that all the cells in my body were active."

Zhang Yue jumped up and down excitedly: "I want to go see the cute giant pandas. Their chubby appearance must be very healing."

Lin Fei dragged his luggage slowly and said, "Let's go to the hotel to put our things first, and then plan our food, drinks and entertainment in Chengdu in the next few days."

They checked into a hotel in the city, and after a short rest, they headed straight to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. As soon as they entered the base, the lush green bamboo forest and the cute giant pandas came into view. Li Xiao pointed to a panda that was eating bamboo and said, "Look at that panda, it's eating so deliciously, its life is so comfortable."

Zhang Yue's eyes were full of stars: "They are so cute, I really want to hug them."

Lin Fei explained: "Giant pandas are national treasures. Their living habits are very unique. They spend most of their time eating and sleeping."

They walked slowly along the paths in the park, watching the pandas climbing trees and playing, or lazily basking in the sun, and were all amused by these cute animals.

After leaving the panda base, it was almost noon, and they came to a popular hot pot restaurant. The store was steaming hot, and the rich aroma of hot pot filled the air. They ordered the classic spicy hot pot base, paired with various dishes such as tripe, duck intestines, and fatty beef. As soon as the hot pot was served, Li Xiao couldn't wait to put the tripe into the pot. After several stirs, the tripe became crispy. He dipped it in sesame oil and garlic sauce, put it in his mouth, and said with satisfaction: "This is the charm of Chengdu hot pot. The tripe is crispy, spicy and fragrant. It's so addictive."

Zhang Yue gasped because of the spiciness, but still couldn't bear to put down his chopsticks: "Although it's spicy, I really can't stop eating. The taste is amazing."

Lin Fei ate the duck intestines and nodded in praise: "The duck intestines are also very fresh. They can be eaten after being rinsed in the pot. The taste is excellent."

In the afternoon, they strolled along Jinli, an ancient street in Chengdu. The streets were lined with antique buildings, hung with red lanterns, and full of small specialty shops. Some sold Sichuan embroidery with exquisite patterns, and some sold Sichuan opera masks with bright colors and vivid expressions.

Zhang Yue walked into a Shu embroidery shop and was attracted by a beautiful double-sided embroidery: "The craftsmanship of this Shu embroidery is so delicate, the front and back are exactly the same."

Li Xiao chatted with the shop owner on the side: "This Shu embroidery has been passed down for so many years, there must be a lot of details, right?"

The shop owner smiled and introduced: "Shu embroidery has a variety of needlework techniques, and the needlework is smooth and bright, so that the embroidered patterns are lifelike."

Tired of walking around Jinli, they found a teahouse to sit down, ordered covered bowl tea, and enjoyed the tea art performance. The tea artist skillfully demonstrated the skills of making tea, with the long-spouted teapot flying up and down in his hands, and the tea accurately falling into the tea bowl, which attracted cheers from the crowd.

Li Xiao imitated the locals, picked up the tea bowl, and took a sip: "This tea is fragrant and refreshing. Drinking tea in this ancient street teahouse has a unique flavor."

Zhang Yue curiously watched the people around him playing mahjong: "Chengdu people really love playing mahjong. This is the slow life in Chengdu."

In the evening, they watched the Sichuan Opera face-changing performance. On the stage, actors dressed in gorgeous costumes quickly changed their facial makeup to the rhythm of the music, sometimes red, sometimes white, and sometimes painted, which was a feast for the eyes.

Li Xiao was stunned: "This face-changing is too magical. I have no idea how it happened."

Zhang Yue also applauded excitedly: "This is the charm of Sichuan Opera. The traditional culture is really profound."

The next day, they went to Kuanxiang and Zhaixiang. Kuanxiang and Zhaixiang have different styles. Kuanxiang is full of the leisurely atmosphere of old Chengdu, with many traditional courtyards and private restaurants; Zhaixiang is more fashionable and literary, with many creative shops and bars.

They tasted various Chengdu snacks in Kuanxiangzi, such as Long Chao Shou, Zhong Dumplings, and Sugar-coated Fruits. Long Chao Shou has thin skin, large fillings, and delicious soup; Zhong Dumplings has a unique taste, with special red chili oil and mashed garlic, which is unique; Sugar-coated Fruits are crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, sweet and delicious.

Li Xiao ate the sugar-coated fruit and said, "Chengdu's snacks are really addictive. Each one has its own characteristics."

Zhang Yue said with satisfaction: "In Chengdu, you can eat so many delicious foods every day. It is simply a paradise for foodies."

Lin Fei took photos to record these beautiful moments: "I can organize these photos and make a travel album when I get back."

During their stay in Chengdu, they fully enjoyed the city's food, scenery and culture, and their laughter echoed in the streets and alleys of Chengdu.

As the journey progresses, they are about to say goodbye to Chengdu and head to the next destination full of unknowns and surprises. Li Xiao said with anticipation: "Chengdu is a really good place, but I believe the next stop will not disappoint us either."

Zhang Yue and Lin Fei nodded, and they embarked on a new journey with their attachment to Chengdu.
Leaving the bustling streets of Chengdu, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei came to Xiamen, a beautiful coastal city surrounded by blue sea and sky.

As he stepped out of the airport, the warm sea breeze gently blew on his face, bringing with it a faint smell of the sea and salty and humid air. Li Xiao opened his arms, his face full of intoxication: "Wow, this fresh sea breeze, Xiamen is indeed a charming seaside resort."

Zhang Yue pointed to the distant coastline excitedly: "Look, the sea is calling us. I want to go for a walk on the beach right away." Lin Fei dragged his luggage and said with a smile: "Don't worry, let's check in at the hotel first, put our things down, and then plan our itinerary in Xiamen."

They checked into a hotel near the sea, and from the window of the room, they could see the boundless sea and golden beach. After a short rest, the three of them could not wait to rush to Gulangyu Island.

When you step onto Gulangyu Island, you feel like you have stepped into a paradise full of literature, art and romance. European-style buildings are scattered on both sides of the alleys, with green vines climbing up the walls and colorful glass shining charmingly under the sunlight. Li Xiao looked at the surrounding buildings curiously and said, "These buildings have unique styles and integrate elements of Chinese and Western cultures. They are worthy of being called the 'International Architecture Expo'."

Zhang Yue was attracted by a handmade jewelry store on the street, which was filled with all kinds of exquisite jewelry made of shells and pearls. She picked up a shell necklace and couldn't let it go: "This necklace is so beautiful, it has a very marine atmosphere."

Lin Fei looked at the map and planned the route: "Let's go along this main road first and visit all the major attractions. We can't miss places like Sunlight Rock and Shuzhuang Garden."

They walked along the winding path and soon arrived at the foot of Sunlight Rock. Looking at the towering rock, Li Xiao was eager to try: "Let's go, climb up and see the whole picture of Gulangyu Island."

During the climb, Zhang Yue was a little out of breath, but with the encouragement of Li Xiao and Lin Fei, he persisted. Finally, he reached the top of Sunlight Rock, and the whole Gulangyu Island was in full view. The sea in the distance was sparkling, and ships were shuttling back and forth on the sea. Zhang Yue shouted excitedly: "It's so beautiful! All the efforts are worth it."

After coming down from Sunlight Rock, they came to Shuzhuang Garden. The pavilions, bridges and flowing water in the garden contrast with the sea, creating a unique flavor. Li Xiao strolled on the Forty-Four Bridge, watching the surging sea water under the bridge, and exclaimed: "This garden is cleverly designed, bringing the sea into the garden, creating such a peaceful and magnificent landscape."

After visiting Gulangyu Island, they tasted local food at a restaurant on the island. They ordered special dishes such as shacha noodles and fried oysters. The rich soup of shacha noodles, mixed with the freshness of seafood and the unique aroma of shacha, made Li Xiao praise it highly: "The taste of this shacha noodles is so rich, every bite is full of surprises."

Zhang Yue ate the fried oysters and said with a smile: "The fried oysters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and with the sweet and spicy sauce, they are delicious."

As night falls, street performers on Gulangyu Island come out one after another, and melodious music echoes in the alleys. They sit on benches on the street, quietly listening to the music and feeling the tranquility and romance of the island at night.

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The next day, they came to the Ring Road. They rented bicycles and rode along the coastline. The sea breeze whistled past, blowing their hair. As Li Xiao rode, he exclaimed: "It feels great to ride on this Ring Road. There is the sea on the left and green mountains on the right. It is simply a paradise on earth."

On the way, they saw many people surfing at the beach. Zhang Yue said enviously: "Those people are so brave, they can swim freely in the waves."

Lin Fei stopped the car and picked up shells on the beach: "These shells are of different shapes and are very beautiful. You can take them back as souvenirs."

During their stay in Xiamen, they also visited Nanputuo Temple. In the temple, incense smoke curled up and Buddhist music sounded. Li Xiao walked into the temple with awe and said softly: "This place makes people feel very peaceful, a kind of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the world."

Zhang Yue took photos beside the temple's lotus pond: "The blooming lotus is so beautiful, adding a lot of poetry to the temple."

They walked through the streets and alleys of Xiamen and bought many local specialties, such as Gulangyu pies and Kinmen tribute candies. Li Xiao held up the pie he had just bought and said, "This pie is crispy and has a sweet filling. It's great whether you eat it yourself or give it as a gift."

As the trip in Xiamen came to an end, the three of them sat on the beach and watched the sunset gradually sink into the sea. Li Xiao said with emotion: "The trip to Xiamen was full of surprises and touching moments. We have seen so many beautiful scenery together. These memories will remain in my heart forever."

Zhang Yue nodded in agreement: "Yes, every moment is precious. I look forward to our next adventure."

Lin Fei looked at the sea in the distance and said, "I wonder what kind of adventures will be waiting for us at the next stop?" Continue to Xi'an Notes: Deep Friendship in the Thousand-Year-Old Capital
Bidding farewell to the blue sea and blue sky of Xiamen, Li Xiao, Zhang Yue and Lin Fei went to Xi'an, a thousand-year-old capital city with rich history and splendid culture.

When I first arrived in Xi'an, I was overwhelmed by the ancient and solemn atmosphere, as if every brick and stone was whispering about the past glory. Li Xiao looked up at the tall and majestic ancient city wall and exclaimed: "This city wall is like a historical giant, silently guarding this city through thousands of years of wind and rain. It's so shocking!"

Zhang Yue couldn't hide his excitement, his eyes sparkling: "I really want to climb up the city wall right away, take a walk, and feel the perspective of the ancients."

Lin Fei calmly arranged: "Let's go to the hotel to put our luggage first, and then plan our itinerary in Xi'an. After all, there are countless historical sites here."

The three stayed in a hotel near the Bell and Drum Tower. After a short rest, they headed straight to the Xi'an City Wall. Stepping onto the city wall, the bricks and stones under their feet were still solid despite the years of polishing. Li Xiao opened his arms and walked quickly in the breeze, as if he had traveled back to ancient times: "Imagine how majestic the ancient soldiers were patrolling and standing guard on this city wall to defend their country."

Zhang Yue asked curiously, "What is the circumference of this city wall? It must have taken a huge amount of manpower and material resources to build it."

As a history lover, Lin Fei gave a detailed answer: "The Xi'an City Wall has a circumference of about 14 kilometers and is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China. It was built over many dynasties and embodies the wisdom and sweat of countless working people."

They either strolled or rented bicycles to enjoy the scenery inside and outside the city wall. Looking from the city wall, the ancient buildings and modern high-rise buildings in the city blend together, creating a unique flavor.

After we got off the city wall, the night deepened and the lights of the Bell and Drum Tower were lit up, dazzling. Li Xiao suggested: "Let's go to Huimin Street to eat delicious food. I heard that there are many special snacks in Xi'an."

Muslim Street was bustling with the aroma of various delicacies. They tasted Roujiamo, a crispy steamed bun with chopped braised meat, and the aroma of meat filled the air. Li Xiao took a bite and said with satisfaction: "This Roujiamo is indeed worthy of its reputation. The steamed bun is crispy and the meat is tender. It is fat but not greasy. It is so delicious!"

Zhang Yue has a special liking for cold noodles. The sour and spicy cold noodles make her say that she is addicted: "This cold noodles has a smooth texture, and paired with chili oil and vinegar, it tastes amazing. I can eat two bowls."

Lin Fei praised the steamed bun with mutton soup. While breaking the bun, he said, "Breaking the bun with your own hands and then soaking it in the delicious mutton soup makes it taste extra delicious. This steamed bun with mutton soup is really a representative of Xi'an cuisine."